Lady Griz Holiday Classic

[WyomingGrizFan]

I was just wondering if the present format of four teams is ever going to be expanded to eight teams playing three games each over a three day period. I know it has been attempted before by other schools & it would seem to be the wave of the future considering travel expenses & such.

Maybe basketball crazy Missoula can carry it off enough to garner enough fans to attend most games; thus covering expenses with revenues.

I know I wouldn't mind watching some teams like Tennessee playing Connecticut on a neutral court; maybe Duke, UCLA, Texas etc. Generally one team from a different conference ( eight different conferences so they don't have to play each other three times a year) to invite & see who wins, etc.

I would think that may add some monies to the hotel & restaurant coffers. Or would it be too costly to consider to begin with?

 

[williamspo]

Even in basketball crazy Missoula, the fans don't show up in any great numbers to watch the "other teams" in the early games. I doubt that it would be a draw.

 

[grizzle]

Connecticut vs. Temmessee sounds like a good, but there is no chance ever that teams of that caliber, plus teams like Duke and UCLA, would ever come to Missoula. Why would they when they can stay home and play each ohter on ESPN. Good idea, but no chance in hell.

 

[Grizbacker1]

Connecticut vs. Temmessee sounds like a good, but there is no chance ever that teams of that caliber, plus teams like Duke and UCLA, would ever come to Missoula. Why would they when they can stay home and play each ohter on ESPN. Good idea, but no chance in hell.

Tennessee has, in fact, been to Dahlberg Arena during a home and home in the 93-95 seasons. The Lady Griz lost at home to the Lady Vols 66-61 and at Tennesse by a score of 82-66. Pat Summitt wa a class act all the way, she talked with a lot of fans before and after the game.

 

[WyomingGrizFan]

If I'am not mistaken UM has hosted at least two Regionals in the past (Texas Tech was in one that I know of), though I forget exactly which two years it was, & the other had the largest attendance of the four (I believe it was the second Regional that Missoula hosted).

I think it would have a lot of positive attractions for many East-West matchups that would be beneficial for teams with NCAA aspirations. Besides playing three teams in one location in place of single games here, then one there ( maybe 500 miles away for their next game) etc. during a typical weekend of the regular season, teams can scout out their opposition better. Just this past year Utah got to the final eight and Stanford took Oklahoma.
Other teams for an invite could be previous opponents of the LG like Hawaii, Iowa, Wisconsin, USC, Colorado etc.
Besides, why couldn't ESPN come to us for a change? ESPN2 did.

 

[Grizbacker1]

If I'am not mistaken UM has hosted at least two Regionals in the past (Texas Tech was in one that I know of), though I forget exactly which two years it was, & the other had the largest attendance of the four (I believe it was the second Regional that Missoula hosted).

I think it would have a lot of positive attractions for many East-West matchups that would be beneficial for teams with NCAA aspirations. Besides playing three teams in one location in place of single games here, then one there ( maybe 500 miles away for their next game) etc. during a typical weekend of the regular season, teams can scout out their opposition better. Just this past year Utah got to the final eight and Stanford took Oklahoma.
Other teams for an invite could be previous opponents of the LG like Hawaii, Iowa, Wisconsin, USC, Colorado etc.
Besides, why couldn't ESPN come to us for a change? ESPN2 did.

They were actually Sub Regionals, you are correct on the details though. Sheryl Swoopes was without question the best Women's BB player to set foot in Missoula. Not taking anything away from Shannon Cate, but Swoopes is incredible.

 

[TrueGriz]

If I'am not mistaken UM has hosted at least two Regionals in the past (Texas Tech was in one that I know of), though I forget exactly which two years it was, & the other had the largest attendance of the four (I believe it was the second Regional that Missoula hosted).

I think it would have a lot of positive attractions for many East-West matchups that would be beneficial for teams with NCAA aspirations. Besides playing three teams in one location in place of single games here, then one there ( maybe 500 miles away for their next game) etc. during a typical weekend of the regular season, teams can scout out their opposition better. Just this past year Utah got to the final eight and Stanford took Oklahoma.
Other teams for an invite could be previous opponents of the LG like Hawaii, Iowa, Wisconsin, USC, Colorado etc.
Besides, why couldn't ESPN come to us for a change? ESPN2 did.

They were actually Sub Regionals, you are correct on the details though. Sheryl Swoopes was without question the best Women's BB player to set foot in Missoula. Not taking anything away from Shannon Cate, but Swoopes is incredible.

Nope.


1993, UM hosted the West regional (one that Swoopes played for Texas Tech) In this west regional, the UM band played as the Colorado team band since Colorado didn't bring their own band here.

sub-regionals in women's basketball started sometime around 1995-6 season. 1994, Lady Griz played first round in Missoula against UNLV and then hit the road for Stanford where they came within 4 points from reaching the West Regional.

I also believe UM hosted the 1997 West Regional where Virginia, and Georgia participated in. Georgia had those two twin tower twin sisters.

2004, UM hosted a sub-regional, which Lady Griz participated in.

 

[WyomingGrizFan]

An interesting sidebar on Sheryl Swoopes, since she was mentioned in earlier postings, is that for Kodak All-American Teams (regardless of level) Swoopes is mentioned as an All-American at the JC/CC level for the years 1988-89, 1989-90 & National Player of the Year for South Plains College at Levelland, Texas at the JC/CC level for the year 1990-91. South Plains C. is about 26 miles west of Lubbock, or thereabouts.

Then she is listed as an All-American for the year 1991-92 playing for Texas Tech and then the WBCA Player of the Year 1992-93 (being also the USBWA POY & the Naismith Trophy & Broderick Award winner for this year).

That's a pretty good 'five' years of accomplishments, I would say.

 

[bigtyme]

Even in basketball crazy Missoula, the fans don't show up in any great numbers to watch the "other teams" in the early games. I doubt that it would be a draw.

The griz win one year and have semi success the previous year (in the regular season) and you are saying we are basketball crazy. I think you are crazy. There is no reason there should not be a sellout every night the guys play and mostly sold out for the girls. But only those of us that have been there watching basketball since Delvon, Gary, Roger, and Matt would be able to tell you that those were the prime time days of grizzly basketball. That shows my age, because I know that there were glory days before that but I was too young to appreciate those days. 90-93 were some of the best times in Missoula because of Grizzly basketball. I will admit Krysko is close but I know Missoula can get better. The problem is that football drags on for weeks with the playoffs and everyone is worn out by the time basketball season gets rolling. It is hard to go to a game when it is cold outside and somewhat late at night. The nice thing is that you can go to a basketball game and you are not committing your whole day to an event like football. It is a mere two and a half hours and great entertainment.

 

[WyomingGrizFan]

I remember that Virginia had a twin tower combination in 6'4" Heidi & Heather Burge from 1989-90 through 1992-93(supposedly both played all four years) & that Georgia had Coco and Kelly Miller from 1997-98 through 2000-01; Georgia losing to Stanford 82-47 on 24 March 1997 after beating Vanderbilt earlier on 22 March 97. The Miller twins led the Bulldogs in scoring with an 18 point average each almost.

 

[WyomingGrizFan]

A comparison that may be of interest:

The rosters of the LG for the year 1985-86 & for their upcoming campaign are very similiar in that each had/has (predominately) one senior, three juniors, five sophomores & four freshmen listed. The sophomores from that year on over their next three years had a winning record of 81-11 (27-4; 26-5 & 28-2).

Comparatively:
1985-86 (senior) Sharla Muralt 6'1" Post
Present " " Sara Gale 6'2" Post

1985-86 (Junior) Laurie Strube 6'2 1/2" Post
Natalie Streeter 5'9" Guard
Margaret Williams 5'8" Guard
Present " " Johanna Closson 6'0" F
Dana Conway 5'10" G/F
Laura Cote 5'8" Guard

1985-86 (Sophomore) Marti Leibenguth 6'1" G/F
Dawn Silliker 6'0" F
Karyn Ridgeway 6'0" F
Cheryl Brandell 5'11" G/F
Kris Moede 5'9" Guard
Present " " Tamara Guardipee 6'2" Post
Betsy Snead 6'2" Post/F
Britney Lohman 6'1" F
Mandy Morales 5'9" Guard
Sonya Rogers 5'7" Guard

1985-86 (Freshmen) Kris Haasl 6'2 1/2" Post
Lisa McLoed 6'1" F
Linda Mendel 6'1" Post
Jean McNulty 6'0" F
Present " " Shadra Robison 6'4" Post
Jessa Linford 6'1" F
Lauren Beck 6'0" G/F
Stephanie Stender 5'11" G/F

Hope we have as many victories (if not more so) Go Griz!!!